Activity 1 - What caused the thaw?

  1. Examine - Read and make notes from Slides 1-13 of the Lesson Presentation on the reasons for the move towards detente in the 1950s.
  2. Think/Pair/Share - From your notes, make a list of the top three reasons for a thaw in relations. Compare these with a partner before sharing with the class. 
  3. Discuss - From what you’ve examined so far, to what extent was the reason for a thaw due to the actions of individual leaders?

Activity 2 - What did cooperation achieve?

  1. Examine - Using the information from Slides 14-17 of the Lesson Presentation, make notes about each of the events on this worksheet. For each event, explain whether it increased or decreased tensions between the superpowers.
  2. ​Create - Create a thematic timeline for the years 1953-1960 showing how each event from your worksheet either increased or decreased tensions. Put Soviet events above the timeline, and US events below. 
  3. Analyse - Examine your completed timeline - are there any years where there was a definite reduction in tension? Where is there an increase in tension? What factors undermined any chances of improved relations in this period?
  4. Discuss - What conclusions can your draw regarding the extent to which there was an overall 'thaw' in hostility during this period?

Activity 3 - Why did cooperation collapse?

  1. Examine - Now explore Slides 18-27 of the Lesson Presentation. What issues and events prevented any lasting Cold War ‘thaw’ during this period?
  2. Watch - Watch this documentary about the continuing impact of the nuclear arms race on US-Soviet relations. As you watch, answer these questions before discussing them as a class.
  3. Write - What accounts for the failure of peaceful coexistence in the 1950s? Write a paragraph explaining your view, referring to at least two reasons.

Further Reading

OBLIGATORY READING
  1. Mamaux, A. (2015). Oxford IBDP Programme - The Cold War, pp. 139-152
RECOMMENDED READING
  1. Rogers, K., & Thomas, J. (2015). Pearson Baccalaureate: History the Cold War, pp. 90-99
SUPPLEMENTAL READING
  1. Williamson, D.G. (2015). Access to History - The Cold War, pp. 130-156
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